Caladium plant named ‘WON OF14-1246’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘WON OF14-1246’, characterized by its compact, relatively short to intermediate in height; upright to somewhat mounding plant habit; dense, leafy and bushy appearance; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; lance-type leaves that are greenish white to white in color with interveinal areas that are variably flushed with red to purplish red, veins that are greyed green in color and thin dark green-colored margins and petioles that are green to greenish tan brown in color.

Botanical designation: Caladium X hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘WON OF14-1246’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant, botanically known as Caladium X hortulanum, commercially referred to as a lance leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘WON OF14-1246’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create new Caladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container and garden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in April, 2013 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium X hortulanum ‘White Wonder’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,044, as the female, or seed, parent with Caladium X hortulanum ‘RS-03-03’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,265, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Caladium plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nursery environment in Avon Park, Fla. in September, 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by “chipping” the tubers (cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing an axillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nursery environment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2015 has shown that the unique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘WON OF14-1246’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘WON OF14-1246’ as a new and distinct Caladium plant:

-   -   1. Compact, relatively short to intermediate in height; upright         to somewhat mounding plant habit; dense, leafy and bushy         appearance.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.     -   3. Lance-type leaves that are greenish white to white in color         with interveinal areas that are variably flushed with red to         purplish red, veins that are greyed green in color and thin dark         green-colored margins.     -   4. Petioles that are green to greenish tan brown in color.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the female parent, ‘White Wonder’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are more compact than plants of         ‘White Wonder’.     -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are greenish white to         white in color with interveinal areas that are variably flushed         with red to purplish red, veins that are greyed green in color         and thin dark green-colored margins whereas leaves of plants of         ‘White Wonder’ are white to grey-green in color with light pink         to white-colored venation and dark green-colored borders.     -   3. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are green to         greenish tan brown in color whereas leaf petioles of plants of         ‘White Wonder’ are tannish pink in color with greenish         brown-colored stripes.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the male parent, ‘RS-03-03’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are more compact and more mounding         than plants of ‘RS-03-03’.     -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are greenish white to         white in color with interveinal areas that are variably flushed         with red to purplish red, veins that are greyed green in color         and thin dark green-colored margins whereas leaves of plants of         ‘RS-03-03’ are pearlescent white to greenish white in color with         dark green-colored margins and white to greenish white-colored         venation.     -   3. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are green to         greenish tan brown in color whereas leaf petioles of plants of         ‘RS-03-03’ are green to tannish green with brownish         green-colored stippling.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium X hortulanum ‘White Delight’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,216. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of ‘White Delight’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are greenish white to         white in color with interveinal areas that are variably flushed         with red to purplish red, veins that are greyed green in color         and thin dark green-colored margins whereas leaves of plants of         ‘White Delight’ are white to grey-green in color with         white-colored main veins and dark green-colored borders.     -   2. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are green to         greenish tan brown in color whereas leaf petioles of plants of         ‘White Delight’ are darker greenish brown with brown- colored         markings.

Plants of the new Caladium can also be compared to plants of Caladium X hortulanum ‘White Diamond’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,215. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of ‘White Diamond’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are greenish white to         white in color with interveinal areas that are variably flushed         with red to purplish red, veins that are greyed green in color         and thin dark green-colored margins whereas leaves of plants of         ‘White Diamond’ are white to grey-green in color with         white-colored main veins and dark green-colored borders.     -   2. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are green to         greenish tan brown in color whereas leaf petioles of plants of         ‘White Diamond’ are green in color with dark brownish         green-colored markings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 ) is a side perspective view of a typical plant of ‘WON OF14-1246’ grown in a container that has had its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet (FIG. 2 ) is side perspective view of typical plants of the female parent, ‘White Wonder’ (right), ‘WON OF14-1246’ (center) and the male parent, ‘RS-03-03’ (left).

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet (FIG. 3 ) is side perspective view of typical plants of ‘White Delight’ (right), ‘WON OF14-1246’ (center) and ‘White Diamond’ (left).

The photograph at the top of the third sheet (FIG. 4 ) is a comparison view of typical plants of ‘WON OF14-1246’ grown in containers, the plant on the left has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on the right has had its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet (FIG. 5 ) is a side perspective view of typical plants of ‘WON OF14-1246’ grown in an open production field.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet (FIG. 6 ) is a close-up view of typical freshly-harvested tubers with roots and leaf petioles of ‘WON OF14-1246’.

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet (FIG. 7 ) is a close-up view of a typical flowering plant of ‘WON OF14-1246’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in a polypropylene-covered shade house (30% light reduction) in Avon Park, Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions in an outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown under cultural practices typical of commercial shade house and outdoor nursery production. During the production of the shade house-grown plants, day temperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperatures ranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 1,300 μmol. During the production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants, day temperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperatures ranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and full sunlight conditions. Plants grown in the shade house were eight weeks old and plants grown in the outdoor nursery were seven months old when the photographs and the detailed description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium X hortulanum ‘WON OF14-1246’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘White             Wonder’ disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,044.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘RS-03-03’,             disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,265. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at             temperatures about 32° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at             temperatures about 24° C.         -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown             plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented, clumping and branched;             individual segments are ovate to irregular in shape. Height:             About 2.9 cm to 3.4 cm. Diameter: About 5.4 cm to 6.5 cm.             Segment height: About 2.9 cm. Segment diameter: About 3.6 cm             to 4.7 cm. Axillary bud shape: Roughly triangular. Axillary             bud height: About 3.7 mm. Axillary bud width: About 4.7 mm.             Texture: Thick, starchy; somewhat brittle. Color: Periderm,             freshly-harvested: Close to 199D. Periderm, dried: Close to             200A to 200B and 199A. Epidermis: Close to 155D and 158D.             Cortical tissue: Close to 8D tinged with close to 1D.             Axillary buds: Close to 36C. Root description: Moderately             thick, fleshy contractile roots with a moderate number of             lateral branches; color, close to 155C faintly tinged with             close to 182D, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots. Rooting habit: Dense. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant             in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape             plant in shaded areas.         -   Plant and growth habit.—Compact, relatively short to             intermediate in height; upright to somewhat mounding plant             habit; dense, leafy and bushy appearance; vigorous growth             habit and rapid growth rate; potted plants finish in             saleable form in about eight weeks after planting tubers;             leaf petioles and leaves arise from one or more growing             points on tubers; leaf petioles initially upright and             leaning outwardly with development.         -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane, shade             house-grown potted plants.—About 21 cm to 26 cm.         -   Plant height, from soil level to top of floral plane, shade             house-grown potted plants.—About 29 cm.         -   Plant diameter, shade house-grown potted plants.—About 34 cm             to 39 cm.         -   Number of shoots per plant, shade house-grown potted plants,             tubers de-eyed.—About five to eight develop per #1 tuber.         -   Number of shoots per plant, shade house-grown potted plants,             tubers not de-eyed.—About four develop per #1 tuber.         -   Cataphylls, shade house-grown potted plants.—Length: About             3.5 cm to 5 cm. Width: About 1.2 cm to 1.4 cm. Shape:             Narrowly lanceolate to linear. Apex: Acuminate. Base:             Sheathing the stem. Texture and luster, outer and inner             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color, outer             surface: Close to N170D, 146D and 147A tinged with close to             199B and streaked and stippled with close to 200C and 200D;             color becoming closer to 200B and 200C with subsequent             development. Color, inner surface: Close to 155A tinged with             close to N170D with small veins, close to 197B; colors and             color patterns visible from outer surface visible. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; lance-type.         -   Length, shade house-grown potted plants.—About 12.5 cm to 18             cm.         -   Width, shade house-grown potted plants.—About 7 to 11.5 cm;             when flattened, about 8 cm to 12.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate to broadly lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Sagittate-peltate; cordate; anterior lobes often             imbricate or folded inwardly.         -   Margin.—Entire; somewhat wavy with broad undulations.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; thin;             dull sheen.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glaucous; dull sheen.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate and palmate.         -   Color, shade house-grown potted plants.—When developing,             upper surface: Ground color: Close to 155B, 155C and N155D             variably flushed with close to 185B, 185C and 185D. Margins:             Towards the margins, close to 155B, 155C, 194D, 195D and             147A; edges, close to 147A and at the apex, close to N186C.             Basal notch: Close to 187B. Midvein and lateral venation:             Close to 195B with streaks, close to 191A and 147B; may be             tinged or flushed with close to 187C. When developing, lower             surface: Ground color: Close to 155B and 155C variably             flushed with close to 185B, 185C and 185D. Margins: Towards             the margins, close to 145D, 147A and 147C; at the edges,             close to 147A and 147C and at the apex, close to N186C.             Basal notch: Close to 187B. Midvein and lateral venation:             Close to 160D with streaks, close to 137B and 137C. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Ground color: Close to 155C             to more white than 155C and slightly and variably flushed             with close to 185C and 185D. Margins: Towards the margins,             close to 155C, 194D and 147A; edges, close to 147A and at             the apex, close to N186C. Basal notch: Close to 187B.             Midvein and lateral venation: Close to 194A and 194C with             streaks, close to 147B and 147C. Fully developed leaves,             lower surface: Ground color: Close to 157C and 157D.             Margins: Towards the margins, close to 145D, 147A and 147C;             at the edges, close to 147A and 191A and at the apex, close             to N186C. Basal notch: Close to 187B. Midvein and lateral             venation: Close to 147C with streaks, close to 137C.         -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight and leaning             outwardly with development; flexible. Length, shade             house-grown potted plants: About 16 cm to 22.5 cm. Diameter,             distally, shade house-grown potted plants: About 2 mm to             3 mm. Diameter, proximally, shade house-grown potted plants:             About 4 mm to 6 mm. Texture: Smooth, glabrous; glaucous.             Color, shade house-grown potted plants: Close to 147C with             stippling and streaks, close to N199A; may also be tinged or             flushed with close to 199B; or close to N199A tinged with             close to 147B with stippling and streaks, close to 147B;             just below the leaf junction, close to N199A with stippling             and streaks, close to 200C and may also be tinged with close             to N170D. Wing length, shade house-grown potted plants:             About 4.4 cm to 6.2 cm. Wing diameter, shade house-grown             potted plants: About 6 mm to 8 mm. Texture and luster, inner             and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen. Wing             color, shade house-grown potted plants: Inner surface: Close             to 155A tinged with close to N170D and small veins, close to             197B; colors and patterns on the outer surface are visible             on the inner surface. Outer surface: Close to N170D, 146D             and 147A tinged with close to 199B with stippling and             streaks, close to 200C and 200D. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes             surrounding a columnar spadix borne on an upright scape;             spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers             separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the             proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on             the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop             at junction of female and male flower zones; near this             junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses             the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male             flowers.         -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; jasmine-like with camphor note.         -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the             new Caladium typically flower during the spring and summer             in central Florida; flowers develop about nine weeks after             growth commences; inflorescences last about three days             before fading; inflorescences persistent.         -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 10 cm. Length, distal open             portion: About 7 cm. Length, proximal closed portion: About             3 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 4.4 cm. Depth,             distal open portion: About 1.8 cm. Width, at constriction:             About 1.25 cm. Width, proximal closed portion: About 2.3 cm.             Shape, open portion: Elliptic. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Acute.             Margin: Entire; slightly reflexed. Texture and luster, front             surface: Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen. Texture and luster,             rear surface: Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen; proximally,             glaucous. Color, front surface: Distal open portion: Close             to N155D with margins, tinged with close to 157A; with             subsequent development, distally becoming closer to 199A and             N199B. Proximal closed portion: Close to 147D; proximally,             flushed with close to 187A; color does not change with             subsequent development. Color, rear surface: Distal open             portion: Close to N155D with margins, close to 157A and             centers, flushed with close to 146D; color does not change             with subsequent development. Proximal closed portion: Close             to 147B and 147C with random and variable areas, close to             147D and 145D; color does not change with subsequent             development.         -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 6.7 cm. Length, male flower             zone: About 3.4 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 1.6 cm.             Length, female flower zone: About 1.7 cm. Diameter, male             flower zone: About 7 mm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:             About 5 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 8 mm. Shape:             Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Acute, rounded. Base:             Obtuse. Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to             155A tinged with close to 145D. Color, mature, sterile zone:             Close to 155D. Color, mature, female zone: Close to 158B.             Male flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 96. Shape: Obovate.             Height: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm to 3.5 mm. Pollen             amount: Moderate to abundant. Pollen color: Close to 4D.             Female flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 175. Shape:             Obovate. Height: About 2.8 mm. Diameter: About 1.8 mm to             2 mm. Stigma color: Close to 158B. Ovary color: Close to             N170D.         -   Scapes.—Length: About 19 cm. Diameter: About 4.5 mm.             Strength: Sturdy; somewhat flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect,             straight. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly             glossy and distally, glaucous; dull sheen. Color: Close to             147B faintly stippled and streaked with close to 147A and             faintly tinged with close to 200A; just below spathe, close             to 147B and 147D faintly stippled and streaked with close to             147A and tinged with close to 200C.         -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have             not been observed on plants of the new Caladium. -   Pathogen tolerance/resistance: Plants of the new Caladium have been     observed to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and average     tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new Caladium have     not been observed to have tolerance/resistance to other pathogens     common to Caladium plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed     to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about 40° C.     and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler zones,     tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a cool     dry environment to overwinter for re-planting the following spring. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘WON OF14-1246’ as illustrated and described. 